How to Distill Lavender Oil

Lightly crush the lavender. Buds will take up less room and release more essential oil, but flowering lavender may be easier to get in your area. These should be as fresh as possible, not dried.

Fill a glass jar with the lavender. A tight lid will keep the oil from getting into the inside threads between the jar and the lid. Leave an inch or so of space at the top. If you over-fill the jar things can get messy later on.

Pour the almond oil in on top of the lavender. Leaving a little room at the top, screw the jar tightly closed. Store the mixture away from sunlight.

Steep the contents for around a month. Shake the jar daily to be certain that the oils mix well. There shouldn't be anything leaking out of the lid, but if there is, transfer the oil to another jar.

Strain the mixture with a fine-holed strainer, or through cheese cloth. If you use the strainer, use a metal spoon to press as much oil as you can from the remaining plant matter. If you use the cheese cloth, you can squeeze out the oil by hand. Throw the remaining lavender away.

Move the oil to a clean glass jar. Store the jar in a cool, dark place.